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This article is written by Lora Delohm. Editor of our sister paper, The Leland Progress. It was funded by a grant from Press Forward.
Mississippi could see a school-choice special session within weeks. Governor Tate Reeves has not ruled out calling lawmakers to take up school choice, and House Speaker Jason White has signaled the House is drafting an “education freedom” package.
In the Delta, the question isn’t whether to adopt national models, but whether we can design a system rooted in Mississippi values — one that centers families, community schools and real access. Across the region, families already piece together learning, because many services aren’t available in one place. The crux is whether the state can expand access without draining the small-town schools that hold rural communities together.
The debate has become one of Mississippi’s most contested, with lawmakers, advocates and educators split over what it means for families and local districts. Supporters frame the issue around flexibility and empowerment.
Grant Callen, CEO of Empower Mississippi, said education freedom “is about so much more than NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) scores,” arguing that “children are unique, parents have the primary responsibility to guide their education, and education is too personal to be centrally managed from the top-down” (Empower Mississippi).
Others warn the approach could weaken small districts.
Erica Jones, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators, said her group believes “the idea of taking taxpayer money intended for a public school and sending it off with a student to support a private school is wrong and will be detrimental to the future of Mississippians and our state’s economy.”
Rev. Jessie King, superintendent of the Leland School District, said he worries that school choice without accountability could fracture rural education.
“Choice risks creating two educational systems with unlevel playing fields,” King said. “If public dollars follow students, there must be clear accountability.
Private schools should not receive public funds without showing educational results and meeting the same physical and instructional standards.”
King said those standards include ADA compliance, safe and accessible facilities such as labs and federal IDEA requirements for students with disabilities.
Historical Context
In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered immediate desegregation in Mississippi, ending years of delay and sparking a swift rise in private “segregation academies.” Leland became an early integration model — later chronicled in PBS’s The Harvest — but, by the 1990s, enrollment had resegregated, as private options grew and the farm economy shrank.
Nearby Cleveland illustrates the limits of lighter remedies: in 2016, a federal judge ordered consolidation after finding racially identifiable secondary schools. Cleveland Central opened the next year. The lesson is structural — design and enforcement shape who learns together and who opts out.
Bridge
Mississippi’s trajectory has improved—early-literacy gains, record graduation and new funding rules that steer dollars by need. In 2024, HB 4130 replaced the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) with the Mississippi Student Funding Formula—an enrollment-based, weighted system (low-income/concentrated-poverty, English learners, special education tiers, career and technical education (CTE), gifted, rural-sparsity) with a short hold-harmless and the familiar ‘28 mills or 27%’ local-share cap.
Where We Are Now
A decade ago, Mississippi trailed on national tests; today, fourth-grade reading sits above the national average, and math is on par. Graduation has reached a record high, even as broader state scorecards still flag pay, per-pupil spending and readiness gaps.
Leland Public School District shows what’s possible when small districts get the right support: in 2025, 100 percent of Leland’s third graders passed both math and English language arts on the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) assessment — a milestone that places Leland among the top performers in the state and signals that Mississippi’s early-literacy and numeracy reforms are taking hold in rural hubs.
Nearby Cleveland offers another example: Hayes Cooper Center is a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon magnet with a long-standing balance goal, and recent cohorts include rural winners from Rankin, Harrison, Hancock, Lowndes and Tippah.
Charter Schools in the Delta
Mississippi’s experiment with public charters has reached the Delta in three locations: Clarksdale Collegiate in Coahoma County, Leflore Legacy Academy in Greenwood, and the newly-approved Mississippi Global Academy in Bolivar County, which is serving fourth to fifth grade this year. Clarksdale Collegiate now serves about 580 students and Leflore Legacy about 225, showing steady growth since founding.
State law vests chartering power in the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board, meaning new schools enter through a statewide process with a performance contract and oversight. Local board consent is required only in higher-rated districts. After years of slow growth, the board has approved Mississippi’s first charter high school in Clarksdale and a second in Jackson — signaling charters are poised to play a larger role in the state’s K–12 landscape.
Geography Matters
While statewide debate often centers on Jackson and other metro areas where charters cluster and commuting options are broader, the Delta reality is different: choice has to work with geography and daily life.
“I do not want to drive to Cleveland for everything multiple times a day — and I’m a stay-at-home mom,” one Leland parent said. “I want my life to be here in Leland.”
That practical reality keeps many families enrolled in nearby private schools in Greenville or Arcola, in their local public district or homeschooling — not because they oppose new models, but because they want to stay rooted in their own community. Capacity is rarely the limiting factor; most people want a combination of geography, community and quality.
“It’s not about open seats. It’s about bodies,” the parent added. Rural schools need more people and more specialized teachers to thrive.
Local private schools often support vouchers as a way to stabilize enrollment, while many homeschool families prefer no vouchers at all, to remain independent from state oversight.
“My kids went to Washington School, and I just felt so blessed to have this sweet school as an option for our family,” said a former Washington School parent, underscoring how Greenville-area private schools are woven into Leland’s community life.
Parents also weigh program quality: “I have one child in private school now, but I am looking into the public magnet on Delta State’s campus, because I’ve heard it is better for high achievers and gifted students,” said a Bolivar County parent.
Another added, “I have heard Indianola Academy has an inclusion program, and I wish that was available here in Cleveland,” pointing to how program availability — not just space — drives family decisions.
Enrollment Math in Small Districts
In rural districts, every student counts. If five students leave, the budget tightens. If ten go, a teacher gets cut — that’s the math that matters. Even small enrollment shifts can force staffing changes and eliminate courses. Policy choices will need funding guardrails and transparent reporting to keep small districts stable.
Teacher advocates say that if Mississippi adopts Education Savings Accounts (ESA) or vouchers, lawmakers must include protections to keep rural schools viable.
“Top three protections you’d put in any Education Savings Account bill for rural districts? An additional pay for those teaching in rural districts, housing assistance as a recruitment/retention tool, and partnership with a college to assist with receiving advance degrees,” said Darein Spann, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators.
Innovation—Not Imitation
Without careful design, school choice won’t automatically help Delta families. Many specialized services — gifted, dyslexia, twice-exceptional (2E) and autism supports — simply don’t exist nearby. A voucher can change the setting without fixing the fit.
Education researchers say one option is to build new choices inside rural districts, rather than pulling students away from them. Possible strategies include district-run STEM/STEAM magnets and lab schools, on-campus service contracts for occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, dyslexia therapy, or applied behavior analysis, and targeted scholarships tied to small K–3 class-size pilots — provided transportation, fair admissions, and public reporting are built in, so access is real on a rural map.
Local leaders note that Leland is uniquely positioned to pilot this approach. The school board has expressed openness to magnets and specialized programs that could attract and retain families — including researchers stationed at nearby Stoneville labs.
“We will support it, as long as it is a part of the public school and the recruiting is equitable,” said Darein Spann, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators.
Studies note that well-designed magnets can stabilize enrollment by drawing students in, rather than letting them exit (National Center for Education Statistics, 2023). A pilot magnet or lab school here could test STEM integration, 2E supports and small-class K–3 interventions modeled on Tennessee’s Project STAR — a landmark randomized study showing significant gains in reading, math, graduation rates and adult earnings for students assigned to classes of 13–17 students (Krueger & Whitmore, 2000; Chetty et al., 2011).
Parents say they would welcome more options tailored to advanced learners.
“My daughter is in private school, but I would ideally like a gifted program option with a project-based curriculum,” said one Washington County parent.
Teacher recruitment is another key factor. With Mississippi ranking near the bottom nationally for teacher pay, advocates say the state will need to compete for STEM and high-needs teachers, especially for rural areas. Arkansas set a $50,000 minimum statewide, Tennessee is phasing to $50,000 by 2026, Florida targets $47,500 for starters and Texas routes five-figure stipends to high-needs and rural classrooms through its Teacher Incentive Allotment (Arkansas Dept. of Education, 2024; Tennessee DOE, 2024; Florida DOE, 2023; Texas TEA, 2024).
Mississippi can stay competitive by pairing a Consumer Price Index (CPI)-South Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) with stackable STEM and rural shortage supplements in Delta districts, while expanding the state’s $6,000 National Board bonus (MDE, 2025) and teacher residency program. Lawmakers could go further by creating a Louisiana-style yearlong paid residency that places new teachers full-time with trained mentors while they complete coursework and by building an alternate licensure path for content experts that converts to a full license after two to three years of mentored teaching.
Spann emphasized that any plan must also simplify certification: “Investments in them. The pay has to be there. Teachers can’t be jumping through hoops to obtain certifications,” he said, calling for streamlined licensure and funded residencies to grow local STEM teachers.
What’s at Stake
Most analysts agree that the question isn’t whether school choice is coming to Mississippi — it’s what form it takes. If a teacher-pay raise is bundled, passage is likely. Any ESA design will also face legal scrutiny under Mississippi’s constitution, which restricts public funds to “free schools” and bars sectarian support. The design will decide who gains or loses in rural communities: metro-style plans or consolidation can lengthen bus rides, thin out teams and erode the Friday-night-lights hub that holds small towns together.
“Public-to-private choice doesn’t just affect budgets — it affects property values and community stability,” King said. “When taxpayers believe they are subsidizing outsiders, local support for funding and bond issues erodes. In 2023 and 2024, 31.3 percent of our local district budget came from local taxes, so protecting that investment is critical.”
King also warned that a market-driven approach could distort high school athletics.
“We have seen in other states how school choice can turn students into commodities,” he said. “The Mississippi High School Activities Association must retain control of athletic eligibility, so competitive balance isn’t lost.”
A rural-ready plan should strengthen hub schools, not siphon them, by building choices as services — district magnets, shared courses and on-campus therapies — with three guardrails: a short hold-harmless for small districts, transportation guarantees so access is real, and transparent reporting on enrollment and services. Leland has the ingredients — strong teachers, committed families and university/Stoneville partners — to pilot that model for the Delta. With the right support, Leland can be a blueprint, not just for its own children but for Mississippi’s future.
For lawmakers, the lesson is clear: any ESA bill paired with a teacher-pay raise must include rural guardrails — short hold-harmless windows, transportation funding and service guarantees — so communities like Leland can keep thriving even as parents gain new options.
Final Note: The Patchwork Is Real
At the heart of this debate is letting families choose what works for their child. In the Delta, that often means a patchwork of public, private and supplemental learning — so the goal is to expand options without unraveling the community school that anchors the town.
📖 Glossary: Key Education Terms
🟩 Funding & Policy Terms
🎒 ESA – Education Savings Account State-funded account parents can use for tuition, tutoring, therapies, or curriculum. Covers state dollars only; families must pay any tuition gap.
💰 MAEP – Mississippi Adequate Education Program
Mississippi’s former school-funding formula (1997–2024).
💰 MSFF – Mississippi Student Funding Formula
Replaced MAEP in 2024. Sets a base per-pupil amount and adds weights for low-income students, special education tiers, English learners, gifted, CTE, and rural-sparsity.
🟦 Testing & Academic Measures
📊 NAEP – National Assessment of Educational
Progress “The Nation’s Report Card.” Measures math, reading, and other subjects across states
📝 MAAP – Mississippi Academic Assessment Program Mississippi’s statewide test for math, reading, and other core subjects
🎓 AP/IB – Advanced Placement / International Baccalaureate College-level courses and exams that can earn students college credit or advanced standing
🟧 Special Education & Inclusion
🧩 SPED – Special Education
Programs and services for students with disabilities
📄 IEP – Individualized Education Program
Legally binding plan outlining services, goals, and accommodations for a student in SPED
⚖️ IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Federal law guaranteeing students with disabilities a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
🏛 ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act
Federal civil rights law requiring schools and public buildings to provide equal access, reasonable accommodations, and safe, accessible facilities for individuals with disabilities
🧠 2E – Twice-Exceptional Students who are both gifted and have a disability (e.g., ADHD, dyslexia, autism)
🟪 Enrichment & Innovation
🌟 GT – Gifted & Talented
Programs or services for students performing well above grade level or showing exceptional aptitude
🔬 STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
Focus on technical and scientific disciplines
🎨 STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math Adds the arts to STEM to encourage creativity and design thinking
School Choice in the Delta: Policy and Data Tool-Kit
Education Money and Your Community: Leland
How Dollars Move
MSFF sets a base of $6,695.34 and adds weights; state aid rises or falls with weighted enrollment, while local property taxes stay local.
Leland Snapshot (FY2025)
Local ≈ $1.7M + State ≈ $4.95M = ≈ $6.64M before federal funds.
When Students Leave
Loss per student ranges from ≈ $6,695 (gen ed) to ≈ $15,399 (SPED Tier III). Ten exits can cut $67K–$127K, but buses, buildings and staff can’t shrink mid-year.
Your Tax Bill
About 36% of a city homeowner’s bill funds schools. A $150,000 home pays ≈ $935 to schools before exemptions.
Family Budgets & ESAs
ESAs cover state dollars only, so families pay tuition gaps. After Iowa’s ESA expansion, tuition rose 21–25% in K and 10–16% in grades 1–12.
Metro vs. Rural Math
The Rankin County School District worries about crowding. The Leland School District worries about hollowing out.
Public-to-Public Transfer Concerns
Local share reality: “In 2023 and 2024, 31.3 percent of our district budget came from local taxes. If residents think they’re subsidizing outsiders, support for millage and bonds erodes,” said Rev. Jessie King.
Leland parents say keeping “Leland pride” means protecting the community school for families who live and pay taxes here.
“I want to keep our school strong for the children in this district,” said one parent. “If we bring in students from outside without living here or contributing through property taxes, we risk losing local support for our schools.”
This concern applies specifically to public-to-public transfers across district lines, not to state-chartered public schools like Clarksdale Collegiate or Leflore Legacy Academy, which operate under separate funding and accountability structures.
Report Card — Mississippi K–12 (2024–25)
Category - Snapshot
✔ Achievement - NAEP Grade 4: Reading 219 (U.S. 214, Rank #9); Math 239 (U.S. 237, Rank #16) — largest gains since 2013 (NCES 2025; MDE 2025)
✔ Attainment - Graduation 89.2% (record); Dropout 8.5% (MDE 2025)
✔ Advanced Coursework - AP participation among fastest-growing states (College Board 2025)
⚠ Readiness & Resources - Teacher pay $53,704 (No. 51 nationally); Per-pupil spending below U.S. average; Pre-K limited; ACT 17.4 statewide, 16.3% meet Algebra benchmark (NEA 2025; Axios/Census 2024; MDE 2024)
Takeaway - Mississippi climbed from near-bottom to a national leader in early literacy/math, but still lags on pay, funding, pre-K access, and college readiness.
Mississippi’s Climb: The “Mississippi Miracle”
Since 2013, Mississippi has led the nation in NAEP gains in Grade 4 reading and math (NCES 2025). The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count ranked the state 16th in overall education in 2024 — its highest-ever ranking, up from 48th in 2014.
Educators often call this progress the “Mississippi Miracle,” citing a decade of early-literacy reforms and teacher training that reshaped outcomes statewide.
Legal Watch: ESAs & Rural Design
Mississippi Constitution: Section 208 restricts public funds to “free” schools and bars sectarian support, and Section 66 requires a two-thirds vote for “donations or gratuities.” Broad ESA designs are likely to face court scrutiny.
Lessons from Other States: After ESA expansions, private-school tuition often rose 10–26%. Award amounts and price transparency directly affect whether families can afford to use them. Some states also saw NAEP scores decline post-expansion, raising questions about accountability and quality.
Rural-Ready Design Checklist:
• State dollars only (local property taxes stay local)
• Income or seat caps to prevent program shock
• Transportation so access is real on a rural map
• Service guarantees (private-school equivalent IEPs, dyslexia/OT/SLP) so students with disabilities aren’t left out
Mississippi’s Existing Choice Options
Mississippi already offers multiple ways for parents to choose schools: intra-district (within district) and inter-district (across district) transfer (with board approval), dyslexia therapy and speech-language scholarships, public charters, ESAs, magnets and the 2024 military choice bill.
Any new legislation should clarify how these programs interact and ensure they work together — rather than adding complexity that confuses families or drains district resources.
Students With Disabilities and Choice
What Changes When You Switch from Public to Private?
In most states, when a student with an IEP enrolls in a private school using a voucher or ESA, the school is not bound by IDEA in the same way as a public district.
• Families may be asked to waive some due-process rights under IDEA.
• Supports often shift from an IEP (legally enforceable, district-delivered) to a service plan (more limited, dependent on the school’s offerings).
• Private schools are generally not required to provide the full range of special-education services, may use their own admission policies, and transportation is often not guaranteed.
Supporters say ESAs can let parents purchase specialized therapies or find a better fit. Critics note that families sometimes discover higher out-of-pocket costs or fewer on-site services after switching.
“If public dollars follow a child with disabilities, parents should know exactly what services are guaranteed, by whom, and on what timeline.”
— Rev. Jessie King, Superintendent, Leland School District
Where Leland Goes Next
Some communities, like Leland, are exploring public-choice solutions — magnets, micro-magnets, and lab schools — that strengthen hub schools rather than drain them. These models let districts serve gifted, STEM-focused, and twice-exceptional learners close to home, with transportation and admissions rules that keep access fair (see 🎯 Back to the heart of it Part III).
Policy Evidence: K–3 Small Class Sizes
We don’t have to guess what works.
Tennessee’s landmark Project STAR — a gold-standard, randomized study of more than 11,000 students — randomly assigned K–3 children to:
• Small classes: 13–17 students
• Regular classes: 22–26 students
• Regular classes + aide
Key Findings:
• Students in small classes posted significantly higher reading & math scores, with the largest gains for Black and low-income students.
• Benefits lasted beyond third grade: students were more likely to graduate high school, take the ACT/SAT, and attend college.
• Follow-up research (Chetty et al., 2011) found higher adult earnings among small-class participants.
• Aides alone didn’t move the needle — the real benefit came from fewer students per teacher and continuity across K–3.
Takeaway: Shrinking K–3 classes to about 15 students changes life outcomes — not just test scores.
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